Invention-Con 2020

Are you an independent inventor, entrepreneur, small business owner, or intellectual property (IP) professional? If so, mark your calendars now for Invention-Con 2020, coming Thursday – Saturday, August 20 – 22. This year’s theme is “Your IP: A power tool for building success.”

Tune in live each day of Invention-Con 2020 using the following links:

Thursday, August 20, 12-5:30 p.m. ET: https://rev-vbrick.uspto.gov/#/events/bada519a-be39-4860-b2cb-7a0b4e9f31c7

Friday, August 21, 12-5:30 p.m. ET: https://rev-vbrick.uspto.gov/#/events/b6ac1e06-655f-418b-8486-39412a64d976

Saturday, August 22, 12 -5:30 p.m. ET: https://rev-vbrick.uspto.gov/#/events/4854e805-c7eb-4dcb-9b9b-d411773426bb

At Invention-Con 2020, you’ll have the chance to:

• Learn how to use your IP to achieve success from accomplished innovators, inventors, entrepreneurs, and business owners
• Learn about resources available to assist you throughout the innovation ecosystem
• Receive valuable information to assist with developing an IP strategy from IP and business experts
• This program will be done all online via WebEx.

Invention-Con 2020 agenda

(Check for updates as the event date approaches)

View the speaker bios and download the full program.

Thursday, August 20 (all times ET)

12:00 – 12:05 p.m. Introduction

• Sean Wilkerson, Innovation Development Program Manager, USPTO

12:05 – 12:10 p.m. Leadership welcome

• Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO

12:15 – 1:10 p.m. Understanding the patent examination process

• Patrick Nolan, Training and Development Program Manager, Office of Patent Training, USPTO
• Leonard Chang, Academy Supervisory Patent Examiner, USPTO

1:15 – 2:10 p.m. Filing a provisional application

• Sudhanshu Pathak, Supervisory Patent Examiner, USPTO

2:10 – 3:10 p.m. Break

3:15 – 4:10 p.m. Best practices for filing a successful patent application

• Janice Tippett, Management and Program Analyst, Office of Patent Application Processing, USPTO

4:15 – 5:10 p.m. Applying for a trademark

• Matt Schwab, Staff Attorney for Electronic Filing and Public Web Services, USPTO

5:10 – 5:15 p.m. Wrap up and reminders

Friday, August 21

12:00 – 12:05 p.m. Introduction

• Dennis Forbes, Innovation Development Program Manager, USPTO

12:05 – 12:10 p.m. Leadership welcome

• Drew Hirshfeld, Commissioner for Patents, USPTO

12:15 – 1:10 p.m. Government resources

• Wayne Stacy, Director of the Silicon Valley Regional USPTO, moderator
• Craig Buerstatte, Director, Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Economic Development Administration
• Joann Hill, Chief, Office of Business Development Minority Business Development Agency
• George Koklanaris, Associate Administrator Small Business Development Centers, office of Entrepreneurial Development, Small Business Administration

1:15 – 2:10 p.m. Building your business model

• Corinne Hodges, CEO, Association of Women’s Business Council, moderator
• Mike Watts, CEO of LoveHandle
• Ira Carl Wolpart, Attorney, SCORE

2:10 – 3:10 p.m. Break

3:15 – 4:10 p.m. Building a virtual business

• David Sardi, Founder, DineroHispano, moderator
• Andrew Baluch Co-Founder of Markup LLC
• Ramona Ortega, CEO & Founder of My Money My Future
• David Toledo, Director of Product Development, Thrasio

4:15 – 5:10 p.m. Keynote

• Sam Zaid, CEO and Founder of Getaround

5:10 – 5:15 p.m. Wrap up and reminders

Saturday, August 22

12:00 – 12:05 p.m. Introduction

• Sean Wilkerson, Innovation Development Program Manager, USPTO

12:05 – 12:10 p.m. Leadership welcome

• David S. Gooder, Commissioner for Trademarks, USPTO

12:15 – 1:10 p.m. Building your network for success

• Bismarck Myrick, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity, USPTO, moderator
• Miguel Alemañy, Founder at Innomatrix, LLC; Chair of the Board SHPE
• Harry Alford, III, Co-Founder of Humble Ventures
• Nina Archie, Diversity and Tech Policy Advisor, The Commercializer

1:15 – 2:10 p.m. Market research/Know your customer

• Warren Tuttle, President, United Inventors Association, moderator
• Brandon Andrews, Co-Founder, Gauge
• LaKisha Greenwade, Brand Strategist, Wearable Tech Ventures Founder
• Lyndsey Maddox, Digital Third Coast Internet Marketing

2:10 – 3:10 p.m. Break

3:15 – 4:10 p.m. Building your pitch

• Brittany Sickler, Senior Innovation Policy Advisor at the U.S. Small Business Administration, moderator
• Shelly Bell, Founder, Black Girl Ventures
• Scott Hynd, Co-Founder, Performance
• Dr. Heather Metcalf Chief Research Officer, Association for Women in Science, Project Director, STEM to Market (S2M)

4:15 – 5:10 p.m. Understanding licensing

• Dana Colarulli, Executive Director, Licensing Executive Society International (LESI), moderator
• David Fedewa, Founder, Invent Tribe
• Bob Held, Held Intellectual Property, LLC
• Robin Rasor, Executive Director of Licensing, Duke

5:10 – 5:15 p.m. Wrap up and reminders

Invention-Con is presented by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office of Innovation Outreach

For more information, or questions about Invention-Con, email InventionCon@uspto.gov. You can learn more about past Invention-Cons at our Invention-Con program webpage.